Did you purchase a car and are eager to know when the car will arrive? Well, tracking a vehicle in transit to a dealership is an important step for car buyers eager to know when their new vehicle will arrive.
It is a process that involves several players, including the manufacturer, dealership, and shipping company, all of whom would contribute to ensure the vehicle reaches its destination on time.
However, with advances in technology, tracking a vehicle has become more accessible. It offers customers real-time updates and peace of mind about their car. So, in this article, I will explain the step-by-step guide on tracking a vehicle in transit to a dealership.
How to Track a Vehicle in Transit to Dealership
Here are the different methods you can use to track a vehicle in transit to the dealership:
Method 1: Communication with the Dealership
Once you’ve purchased or placed an order for a vehicle, the dealership should provide you with a timeline for when the vehicle will arrive. This usually includes an estimated delivery date.
After the vehicle is shipped from the manufacturing facility or distribution center, it gets assigned a tracking number. This number is important for monitoring the vehicle’s journey. Make sure to ask your dealership for this number.
You should also establish a good relationship with your sales representative. It can be very beneficial. They can provide you with regular updates and may even proactively inform you of any delays or changes in the delivery schedule.
Some car dealerships have automated systems that may send you updates via email or text messages.
Method 2: Through Manufacturer’s Tracking Systems
Many major car manufacturers offer an online portal where customers can track their vehicle orders. These portals may require you to log in with an account and provide your order number or VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to access the tracking information.
These systems can provide you with detailed updates, starting from when the vehicle enters production, through its assembly, and finally when it is shipped.
Some systems also track the vehicle’s movement across the country, providing estimated arrival times at each checkpoint.
Method 3: Through Shipping Company Tracking
If the vehicle is being shipped by a third-party logistics company (which is often the case for long-distance or international shipments), you can sometimes track it directly through the carrier’s website.
This will require the tracking number provided by the dealership. That is why you should make sure to always have it with you.
The carrier might be a specialized vehicle transportation company, and their tracking systems vary in detail and frequency of updates.
Larger carriers often provide more sophisticated tracking options, including GPS tracking for real-time updates.
Method 4: Through VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) Tracking
You can also use VIN to track the vehicle in transit to the dealership. The VIN is a unique 17-character code that identifies a specific vehicle.
Once your vehicle has been manufactured and assigned a VIN, this number becomes an important piece of information for tracking.
Some manufacturers and third-party services may allow you to track your vehicle using its VIN. This can give you insights into where the vehicle is in the manufacturing process, and once it’s shipped, where it is in transit.
Moreover, there are various websites and apps that can allow you to enter a VIN to check the vehicle’s status. These services may pull data from a range of sources including the manufacturer, dealership, and shipping company.
These are the methods with which you can use to track a vehicle in transit to a dealership. However, it’s important to recognize that vehicle delivery times can vary widely depending on several factors.
These include the distance between the factory and the dealership, weather conditions, logistical challenges, and even customs processes if the vehicle is being shipped internationally.
Delays can happen, and it’s important to stay patient. While tracking systems may provide estimated delivery dates, these are not always guaranteed. If you stay in close contact with your dealership it will ensure you are aware of any changes in the delivery schedule.
As the delivery date approaches, the dealership should notify you when the vehicle has arrived. Some dealerships will inspect the vehicle before handing it over to you, which might add a little extra time before you can pick it up.
Meanwhile, if you have trouble accessing tracking information through the dealership or the tracking systems available, you can reach out to the manufacturer’s customer service to resolve the issues. They may have more detailed insights into where your vehicle is and why there might be delays.
The dealership’s customer service team can also assist you in tracking your vehicle. They can liaise with the logistics team or the manufacturer to get the latest updates for you.
Conclusion
To track a vehicle in transit to dealership, you can either communicate with the dealership, use manufacturer’s tracking system, VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) tracking, and shipping company tracking. With any of these tracking methods, you can track your car in transit to dealership.
